Portable desktop companion

ABSTRACT

A portable desk that is adjustable to permit it to be folded for transport and carried in an carrying case. The top surface of the desk has provision for one or more retractable, detachable lights on both sides of an accessory drawer and an upright stop. Two pairs of arms each having two joined arms are located below the desk top surface. Each pair of arms has a joining brace with a hook and loop surface that can be secured to a hook and loop surface on the bottom of the writing surface. Lever operated adjustment clamps between the arms of each arm pair permit the members to be rigidly held together or released from their held position.

[0001] This invention claims the benefit of the U. S. Provisional application No. 60/252,075 filed on Nov. 21, 2000.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to a portable desk that is collapsible and adjustable and has a top with rests and lights which can be secured to the top.

[0003] Desks that are portable or adjustable, or both, are known in the prior art. For example, in one earlier portable desk top invention the legs were adjustable to allow them to be adjusted to different heights. One other portable desk discloses a desk which can be folded into a suitcase like enclosure for transportation.

[0004] Another portable desk discloses a desk which has adjustable legs, and a working surface with a book rest attached.

[0005] Still another portable desk invention has a desk top unit which is collapsible into a carrying case.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

[0006] Desks that are portable or adjustable, or both, are disclosed in a variety of configurations and sizes. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 893,694 to Alllenson a portable desk top which has legs that were adjustable to allow them to be adjusted to different heights is disclosed.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 3,177,991 to Walker discloses a portable desk which can be folded into a suitcase like enclosure for transportation.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 3,669,227 to Alford a portable desk which has adjustable legs, and a working surface with a book rest attached.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 4,595,086 to Simpson discloses a portable desk invention that has a desk top unit which is collapsible into a carrying case.

[0010] In the present invention a portable desk has a top with rests for books or the like and lights which can be secured to the top. Additionally, there are a plurality of adjustment mechanisms to allow the desk to be raised, lowered or adjusted to various angles, all as will be detailed in the specification that follows hereafter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] This invention relates to a portable desk that is adjustable to permit it to be transported and carried in a carrying case. The top surface of the desk has provision for one or more lights, an accessory drawer and a stop.

[0012] It is the primary object of the present invention to provide for an improved portable desk that is adjustable and collapsible to permit the easy transport of the same.

[0013] Another object is to provide for such a desk in which there is a stop and a light or lights mount on the desk.

[0014] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to readers from a consideration of the ensuing description and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015]FIG. 1 is a side view of the present invention in an erect position.

[0016]FIG. 2 is a side view of the present invention in a folded or collapsed position.

[0017]FIG. 3 is top view of the top surface of the desk when in the FIG. 2 position.

[0018]FIG. 4 is a top view showing the folded desk within a carrying case.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0019]FIG. 1 is a side view of the present invention in an erect position. The desk top surface 1 has an accessory drawer 3 for the storage of pencils, pens, markers or the like. Drawer 3 is permanently mounted to the top surface 1 and extends slightly up from the surface 1. By adjusting the orientation of surface 1 in a counter clockwise rotation, using the lower lever operated adjustable clamp 5, the accessory drawer can also be used as a book stop. Two lights 7, only one shown in FIG. 1, are located on opposite sides of the drawer 3, as best shown in FIG. 3.

[0020] The lights are rectangular in shape and detachably mounted to the desk top surface 1. Each light may be used and operated independently of the other for a left or right handed person, or may both be used together to illuminate the surface 1. Each light 7 is powered by three AAA sized batteries that fit with a casing. The battery casing has a mounting brace which is attached to a light foot anchor 9.

[0021] The anchors 9 are located on the bottom or the opposite side surface from the top surface 1. A screw holds the anchor to the underside of the surface 1. Each anchor 9 has a hook and loop type strip with two side flexible snap latches that go around each light to retain the removable lights. Below the hook and loop strip is a small screw extending through the anchor which is used to permanently attach each anchor to the bottom surface of the desk.

[0022] Also shown on the surface 1 is a book stop 11 extending upwardly from the surface 1. The stop 11 is permanently secured to the desk top surface 1 and is used to prevent materials from sliding off the surface 1. Below the surface 1 are soft cushion pads 13 used to cushion the weight of the desktop when it is placed on the lap of a user. These cushion pads may be made of foam rubber, or the like, and are permanently mounted on the underside surface opposite the upper working surface 1.

[0023] Two identical pairs of foldable, adjustable arms 15 and 17 are spaced apart to permit the adjustment of the surface 1. A swivel bracket 16 joins the two pairs of arms together and is placed between the upper arm of the pair. The upper arms 15 of each pair are hingedly attached to the bracket 16 by a bolt with the adjustable clamp 5. Only one of these arm pairs is shown, the other identical pair being directly behind it. A rigid brace member 19 for each pair has a square end that is placeable in one of two square holes in the arm socket 21 which is part of each arm 17. The other end of member 19 extends to pivot joint 20 formed by a pivot pin or rod mounted in two open brackets that are fixed to the bottom of the upper working surface 1.

[0024] A hook and loop surface on the outer surface of each member 19 and the facing adjacent bottom surface 22 of the surface 1 allows the member to be stored against the surface when not in supporting use. When fixed at both of its ends, the brace 19 provides a more rigid support structure for the surface 1 on which to write. Each of the two lower arms 17 are pivotally joined by a bolt at their lower ends with a common lever operated adjustment clamp 23. By adjusting the pressure supplied by clamp 23, the orientation of the arm pairs may be changed. Screws 25 near, or at the ends of, each spaced arm 17 are used to fix each arm to the common knob assembly 27.

[0025] Another lever operated adjustment clamp 29, with its own set of arms, is pivotally joined at both ends to each pair of arms 15 and 17 along their inner lengths. The clamp 29 may be used to change the orientation of the arms 15 and 17 in each pair relative to each other, which in turn changes the orientation of the upper surface 1 with respect to the horizontal. For example, the angle of orientation of the surface could be changed to 45 degrees or 135 degrees with respect to the horizontal.

[0026] The upper adjustment clamp 5 can be used to control the rotation of the desk top surface 1 by rotating the surface in a clockwise or counter clockwise position from the horizontal. When this is done, the lower brace 19 should be positioned upwardly with one end in the square hole in arm socket 21 in arm 17. Lower adjustment clamp 23 controls the rotation of the upper arm 15 and the supported desktop surface 1. The lower horizontally disposed arm 17 may remain fixed in position during the adjustment of clamp 23. As mentioned before, the swivel bracket 16 is connected to the top of the lever operated adjustment clamp 5 by a pivot pin. The bracket 16 allows the desk top surface 1 to be rotated in a clockwise or counter clockwise direction relative to the horizontal. Below the erected arm 17 is an adjustable supporting assembly. This assembly has an adjustable knob 33 which allows for a 360 degree horizontal rotation of the desk top surface 1 from the right to left or the left to right. By tightening the knob 33 more control over the stabilization of rotation is achieved. Also forming part of the same assembly is the adjustable knob 35 on the end of a threaded shaft which allows for the clockwise or counter clockwise rotation of the upper arms 15 and 17 and the desk top surface 1 past horizontal. Knob 35 controls a vise like housing 36 that extends to both sides of the top of the pole 39.

[0027] By tightening knob 35, the arms 15 and 17 and surface 1 can be secured in various positions assuming all other connections are secured. Additionally the assembly has, below knob 35, another adjustment knob 37 with an attached threaded shaft. This knob 37 is used to fix the vertical disposition of the shaft or pole 39. This is accomplished with the free end of the threaded shaft on the knob bearing against the contacted shaft 39.

[0028] Pole 39 is generally disposed to extend below the assembly 27 and is vertically oriented. This pole slidably extends through an upper retaining collar 41 of the conventional collapsible tripod leg assembly 43. The leg assembly 43 consists of three telescoping hollow leg segments in each of the individual three leg. The upper end of pole 39 is firmly mounted to the assembly 27 which it supports. The tripod assembly has three supporting foldable braces 48 equally spaced around and extending outwardly from the pole 39, one for each hollow tripod leg 46.

[0029] By tightening the knob 37, the pole 39 may be fixed in a vertical position relative to the supporting tripod and held in that position. The upper end of the pole can be elevated above the position of the collar 41, through which the pole slides, to a height of up to about 12.5 inches. The total height the tripod assembly may be raised in length by adjusting the three leg segments, including the shown lower leg lengths 44, and each of the third smaller leg segment for each leg. Both of the leg segments are telescopingly inserted into the upper leg portions 46 and are about 22 to 38.5 inches. The smaller third tripod leg segment fits into the lower second hollow leg 44 and can be extended therefrom but is not shown. Each of the three leg segments for each tripod leg is fixed in position by a locking clamp associated with the leg. The surface 1 can be adjusted above the lower supporting generally horizontal ground surface 45 by about 72 inches.

[0030]FIG. 2 is a side view of the present invention in a folded or collapsed position. In this position the lower tripod legs 44 each have been pushed into the three upper legs 46. The smaller third leg segments are within legs 44 and therefore not shown. Further, the three supporting braces 48, connecting each tripod legs with the lower end of pole 39, have been collapsed. The individual lever operated clamps 5, 23, and 29 each have been released from a holding position. This allows the two arms 15 and 17 to be collapsed and aligned generally parallel with each other.

[0031] The end of brace 19 that engages socket 21 is released and moved parallel to the bottom of surface 1. When all of these clamps, arms and knobs are disengaged, the unit may be folded for easy transport or storage.

[0032]FIG. 3 is top view of the top surface of the desk when in the FIG. 2 folded position. The flat working surface 1 of the desk is shown with the upstanding stop 11 extending partially along one side. On the opposite side of the surface 1 are the two detachable lights 7 and the accessory drawer 3. Each light may be removed from its holding receptacle and used as desired or may be left in place and stored or transported as desired.

[0033]FIG. 4 is a top view showing the folded desk within a carrying case 50. The carrying case has a handle 52 for easy carrying, and rubber stoppers 54 to prevent the bottom of the case from touching the ground. Shown in dotted line format within the case 50 is the folded desk shown in FIG. 3. The same major desk components are indicated by the same numbers in both FIG. 3 and FIG. 4.

[0034] When folded, as shown in FIG. 4, the portable desk can easily be stored or transported in cars, trucks, and overhead airline compartments. The erected portable desk may be used in the home, school, conferences, or meetings where there are no tables to write on. The desk provides an individual with a table tray, easel pad support, lectern and a desk top for reading and note taking all in one. It also helps to encourage proper body posture so one can sit comfortably for long period of time.

[0035] Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention and the method of using the same has been described in the foregoing specification with considerable details, it is to be understood that modifications may be made to the invention which do not exceed the scope of the appended claims and modified forms of the present invention done by others skilled in the art to which the invention pertains will be considered infringements of this invention when those modified forms fall within the claimed scope of this invention. 

What I claim as my invention is:
 1. A portable desk comprising: a desk top having a stop for objects placed on the desk top, at least one light mounted to said desk top, a supporting adjustable assembly for said desk top, adjustable means for moving the desk top in different angular relationships relative to the supporting adjustable assembly, and said supporting adjustable assembly having height adjustment means for permitting vertical movement of the desk top relative to the supporting adjustable assembly.
 2. The portable desk as claimed in claim 1, wherein said adjustable means for moving the desk top includes an adjustment clamp used to permit the rotation of the desk the top relative to the supporting adjustable assembly.
 3. The portable desk as claimed in claim 2, also including a leg assembly mounted to said supporting adjustable assembly, said leg assembly having adjustable length legs.
 4. The portable desk as claimed in claim 4, wherein said supporting adjustable assembly has two arms connected to said adjustment clamp, and a lever interconnecting said two arms to permit the angular rotation of the desk top relative to horizontal.
 5. The portable desk as claimed in claim 4, wherein the leg assembly includes three legs, each of said legs being telescopingly mounted to lower leg segments.
 6. The portable desk as claimed in claim 5, wherein said desk top is removable from said supporting adjustable assembly, and said desk top having a lower surface with cushion members. 